C/MSGT USAF, Ret. Robert E. (Bob) Gieger of Carriere, Miss., went to be with his Lord on Monday, December 17, 2012 at Highland Community Hospital at the age of 88. Bob was born in Laurel, Miss. on April 7, 1924, to James Vernon and Arlone (Hosey) Gieger. He traveled all over the world during his thirty year career in the Air Force, where he served as an Air Traffic Controller. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. He retired at Keesler Air Force Base in August 1975.

He was a charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Picayune, Miss. He was Co-founder of the Picayune Police Department Senior Patrol/Citizens on Patrol Programs and served as Leader for seven years. He was a member of numerous social, religious, and service organizations.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Vern Gieger and Arlone Hosey Gieger; and one sister, Ruth Carlisle.

Survivors include: his wife of 32 years, Catherine Barnes “Cathey” Gieger; along with three sons, Mike Gieger and wife Sherry of Montrose, Miss., Jack Rutherford of Tampa, Fla., and Will Rutherford of Biloxi, Miss., and two daughters, Terri Gieger of Morganton, Ga. and Lorrie Drennan and husband Mike of Brandon, Miss. He was extremely proud of all of his grandchildren: Eric Gieger, Michael Drennan Jr., Dustin Drennan, Dacia Malone and husband Shaun, Christina Hinton and husband Joe, Christopher Rutherford, Drew Rutherford, and Jack “J.R.” Rutherford. One of his proudest moments was when he was asked to act as Godfather to Dacia, a job he took seriously and enjoyed with all his heart. He had seven great-grandchildren, Trinity Gieger, Seth Rutherford, Kayleigh Drennan, McKinley Drennan, Hailey Hinton, Cristiana Hinton, and Drennan Malone.

Bob will be sadly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to be called his friend, and his friends were many. He was a loving, giving person, seldom seen without a smile on his face.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 20, 2012, at 11 a.m. at McDonald Funeral Home Chapel.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 20, 2012 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at McDonald Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Biloxi National Cemetery, Thursday 20, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. with full military honors under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorials be made to: Trinity United Methodist Church, Debt Reduction Fund, 3021 Woods Road, Picayune, MS 39466.

Obituary, Register Book, and Driving Directions can be found on the internet page, at www.mcdonaldfh.com.